PORTLAND, Ind., Dec. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — State and local leaders and landowners joined executives from NextEra Energy Resources, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE), and American Electric Power (AEP) to celebrate the commissioning of the Bluff Point Wind Energy Center, which has created hundreds of construction jobs as well as millions of dollars in economic benefits for the region.

“On behalf of Governor Holcomb, I am very pleased to help commission this exciting project that represents a $200 million investment in our state,” said Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. “It has created good jobs for Hoosiers and an economic uplift for the region, as well as low-cost, clean energy, which is a product we can all be proud of.”

The Bluff Point Wind Energy Center features 57 GE wind turbines designed to pivot to capture the prevailing wind and convert it to clean, renewable electricity. Together, they have a generating capacity of nearly 120 megawatts. Affiliates of NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of renewable energy, built and will own and operate the project. The energy serves customers of Appalachian Power, an affiliate of AEP.

“AEP and Appalachian Power are pleased to partner with NextEra Energy Resources on this beneficial project that helps modernize and diversify the power generation fleet and provides low-cost, clean energy to customers,” said Marc Lewis, vice president of regulatory and external affairs for Indiana Michigan Power, an AEP company.

Appalachian Power serves 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. The company has been moving toward a more diversified energy portfolio that will include more wind-generated power, new solar, demand-side management and energy efficiency as well as existing hydropower, coal and natural gas plants.

“This is our company’s first project in Indiana and we look forward to making more investments here,” said John DiDonato, vice president of renewable development and origination for NextEra Energy Resources. “We are grateful for our partnership with AEP, and for the tremendous support this project has received from the governor’s office and of course the people of Jay and Randolph counties, who stand to benefit from it for years to come.”

The Bluff Point Wind Energy Center is providing a significant economic boost for Jay and Randolph counties, creating approximately 200 jobs during the construction phase this year, and five full-time jobs to support it once it became operational in October. The project is expected to provide more than $30 million in new tax revenue to the county governments over its first 30 years of operations, and nearly $21 million in payments to local landowners. From labor and materials, to housing, health care and construction – a wide variety of local businesses have benefitted from the influx of economic activity.

“We are very proud to host the Bluff Point Wind Energy Center right here in Jay County,” said Jeanne Houchins, Jay County Council member. “This project has already created a great deal of enthusiasm and positive economic activity in our community. The extra tax revenue it generates will go a long way to help our county enhance our schools, roads and essential services.”

NextEra Energy Resources

NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (together with its affiliated entities, “NextEra Energy Resources”), is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 19,990 megawatts of generating capacity, which includes megawatts associated with noncontrolling interests related to NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP), primarily in 29 states and Canada as of year-end 2016. NextEra Energy Resources, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. The business operates clean, emissions-free nuclear power generation facilities in New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy nuclear fleet, which is one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

AEP/Appalachian Power

Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. Based in Columbus, Ohio, AEP is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,200 megawatts of renewable energy. In addition to Appalachian Power, AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas,, Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.